West Face Of NEWS

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Summary

West Face (NEWS)
Shirley starting the lead of the fifth pitch of the West Face (July 2008).

Shirley & I climbed the West Face (III 5.10+) of NEWS on a quick summer day in 2008. The crux (I led) was hard for me but I thought the supposed 5.10- crack higher (which Shirley led nicely) was almost as tough (thin!). Beautiful route of course – as good as Northwest Corner (III 5.9) next door but of a different flavor. Swapped leads with Shirley.

Photos

West Face (NEWS)
Shirley starting up pitch 1 of the West Face route on NEWS (July 2008).
West Face (NEWS)
Shirley starting up P3 of West Face on NEWS. We linked pitches 1 and 2 (July 2008).
West Face (NEWS)
Shirley leading P3 of West Face on NEWS (July 2008).
West Face (NEWS)
Starting the lead of pitch 4 of the West Face of NEWS...a wide layback to more weird laybacking (5.9 pitch; July 2008).
West Face (NEWS)
Shirley topping out on pitch 3 of West Face of NEWS.
West Face (NEWS)
Crux pitch on West Face (hard!...for ME; July 2008).
West Face (NEWS)
Shirley starting up the short but stout fourth pitch of the West Face route on NEWS (July 2008).
West Face (NEWS)
Shirley following the crux pitch of West Face. Seems smaller fingers are a real asset on this one (probably it's my usual whining though). July 2008.
West Face (NEWS)
Shirley following pitch 4 of West Face (the crux pitch; July 2008).
West Face (NEWS)
Shirley starting the lead of the fifth pitch of the West Face (July 2008).
West Face (NEWS)
Shirley leading pitch 5 of West Face route on NEWS. The crack looks nicer from approach than up close I thought (July 2008).
West Face (NEWS)
Shirley leading pitch 5 of West Face on North Early Winter Spire belayed by yours truly. In fact, the entire line is visible here (as is much of the Northwest Corner just to the left). For a different perspective on same instant, see here (July 2008).
West Face (NEWS)
Shirley leading the hardish fifth pitch of West Face (July 2008).
West Face (NEWS)
Shirley nearing the top of the 5th pitch of West Face (July 2008).
West Face (NEWS)
Daddy following the 5th pitch of West Face (July 2008).
West Face (NEWS)
Shirley belaying me from atop the 5th pitch of the West Face. The hard climbing is over at this point and it's mostly a cruise to the summit (July 2008).
West Face (NEWS)
Daddy leading the sixth and final pitch of West Face of NEWS...bit of moderate (5.7) friction to low 5th run for the summit (July 2008).
West Face (NEWS)
Looking back at Shirley from the lead of the 6th and final pitch of West Face (July 2008).

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